CME 2026 Women in Resources Awards winners crowned

Some of Western Australia’s most accomplished and impressive resources industry professionals have been honoured at the 2026 Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) Women in Resources Awards (WIRA).

Seven women and one company were crowned winners at the 17th annual WIRA awards ceremony, which was hosted at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and attended by more than 1100 guests on March 13.

Proud Guruma and Yindjibarndi woman Tania Stevens took home the Outstanding Woman in Resources Award for her work as co-founder of Eastern Guruma, a wholly Indigenous and female-owned civil and mining company that now employs more than 300 people, including one-third Aboriginal staff.

CME Chief Executive Officer Aaron Morey congratulated all 18 individual finalists, as well as three company finalists, for their remarkable contributions to the WA resources sector.

“The women recognised through WIRA are shaping the future of WA’s resources sector at every level – from operations and engineering through to leadership and entrepreneurship,” Mr Morey said.

“As our sector competes for the next generation of talent, it’s vital that women see themselves reflected in the industry’s success stories.

“The experiences of our finalists and winners show that mining offers dynamic careers that are challenging and adaptable, while contributing to the economic and social strength of Western Australia.

“By showcasing these leaders and innovators, WIRA sends a powerful message to women and girls that there is a place for them in this industry and that their skills and ideas are not only welcome but essential.”

CME’s most recent Diversity and Inclusion Report found women accounted for a quarter of all WA resources workers in 2023 – up from 18.8 per cent a decade earlier.

The results found strong growth in female participation across a wide variety of roles, including machinery operators and drivers (up to 21.4 per cent), management (up to 23.5 per cent) and board roles (up to 32.8 per cent).

“While there is more work to do, the momentum we are seeing across the sector is encouraging,” Mr Morey said.

“By continuing to support diversity, flexibility and inclusive workplaces we can ensure the WA resources industry remains a destination of choice for talented women now and into the future.”

The 2026 WIRA award recipients are:

Outstanding Company Initiative Award

BHP: Gender Equal Mining Program

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/bhp-gender-equal-mining-program/

Woman in Resources Technology Award

Emma Eltringham, Woodside Energy

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/emma-eltringham/

Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Woman Award

Sammi Rae, South 32 – Worsley Alumina

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/sammi-rae/

Outstanding Young Woman in Resources Award

Jemima Reid, Barminco